Deadline: 1 August 2011
The program, which runs from mid-March to early September, is offered annually to print and online journalists between the ages of 25 and 35. The class of 2011 includes seven journalists from Afghanistan, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Korea and Yemen.
Applicants from the following countries are eligible to apply for the Daniel Pearl Fellowships: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE and Yemen.
ALFRED FRIENDLY PRESS FELLOWSHIPS
The Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships (AFPF), an American non-profit, non-governmental organization, is a cultural and professional exchange program for journalists. Through AFPF, journalists and their readers gain a broader view of the world and journalism thereby creating mutual understanding and peaceful relations between Americans and people of other nations. Fellows return home with new journalistic skills and knowledge, and a desire to advance a free, responsible press in their own countries–without which democracy does not exist.
While in the U.S., Fellows spend the majority of their time reporting for their American host newspapers but are also encouraged to attend conferences and workshops, read journalism books, and make short-term professional visits to organizations that are relevant to their work at home. Special AFPF seminars are organized for the Fellows at the beginning, middle and end of the program. Upon returning home, Fellows organize and lead seminars based on the knowledge and skills gained through their AFPF experiences.
Completed applications are due August 1 for the program that begins in March of the following year.
PROGRAM GOALS:
* To provide the Fellow with experience in reporting, writing, editing, and editorial decision-making that will enhance future professional performance;
* To expose the Fellow to the technological changes that are occurring in the industry;
* To enable the Fellow to gain a practical understanding of the function and significance of the free press in American society;
* To transfer knowledge gained on the program to colleagues at home;
* To foster continuing ties between free press institutions and journalists in the U.S. and their counterparts in other countries.
CRITERIA of ELIGIBILITY:
* Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, magazines, wire services, or online publications of general public interest in a developing country or an emerging market;
* At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist in the print/online media;
* Citizenship of a developing country or an emerging market;
* Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;
* A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism in a developing country or an emerging market;
* Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;
* Endorsement from the management of the home publication;
* An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.
Due to requirements of reporting in the U.S., preference is given to applicants who are proficient in using computers and driving automobiles.
THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM:
In the conviction that a strong, free press is essential to the healthy functioning of a democracy, the late Alfred Friendly, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and former managing editor of The Washington Post, conceived a fellowship program that would both impart American journalistic traditions and respond to worldwide interest in the dissemination of fair and accurate news. It was Alfred Friendly's belief that working side by side with reporters and editors is the best way to absorb the practical realities of journalism in this country and the instrumental role it plays in our society. Therefore, he created the program that bears his name to immerse approximately ten journalists each year for six months in American newsrooms. Since 1984 the ALFRED FRIENDLY PRESS FELLOWSHIPS (AFPF) has trained nearly 300 journalists from almost 80 countries.
In addition to the six month newsroom experience, the program works closely with home and host news organizations to create specific plans for the Fellows; offers specialized fellowships by topic (business, health, investigations, online, etc.) and region (Muslim world); and introduces Fellows to what is new and unique in American newsgathering and delivery. Our goal is to increase the level of effectiveness and excellence of the AFPF program in the 21st century and to broaden the impact of the program on countries that are working to understand press freedom.
Sharing the goals of AFPF, the Daniel Pearl Foundation partnered with AFPF in 2003 to offer special fellowships to honor the life and work of journalist Daniel Pearl, The Wall Street Journal South Asia bureau chief who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Daniel Pearl Fellows -- seven from Pakistan, three from Egypt and one each from Afghanistan, Nepal, Turkey and Yemen -- have worked at The Berkshire Eagle/North Adams Transcript, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, ProPublica, San Francisco Chronicle and the Atlanta, New York and Washington, DC bureaus of The Wall Street Journal. Applicants for the DANIEL PEARL FELLOWSHIPS (DPF) come from areas that Daniel Pearl covered as a journalist -- the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia -- and must submit an essay as to why they would like to be a Pearl Fellow. Additional opportunities are provided to Daniel Pearl Fellows that are in line with the mission of the Daniel Pearl Foundation -- to encourage dialogue among people of different cultures, reduce cultural and religious tensions and create a platform for responsible and creative journalism. Fellows are required to work one week at a Jewish publication and participate in a public discussion, typically in Los Angeles where the Pearl family resides.
The fellowship program begins in March with a two-week orientation seminar in Washington, DC designed to prepare the Fellows -- both personally and professionally -- for the challenges of living and working in the United States. At the middle of the program, Fellows and staff come together for a week to attend seminars focused on writing, editing, multimedia reporting and investigative reporting/Computer Assisted Reporting. A final seminar in Washington reunites the Fellows and allows them to compare and evaluate their experiences and discuss their impressions of the American media. Fellows return to their home countries in early September to begin sharing their knowledge and skills with colleagues, editors and publishers in their home newsrooms.
The Fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic U.S. travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. It is highly recommended that Fellows bring additional money with them. While family members may visit for up to one month, they cannot accompany the Fellow for the duration of the Fellowship.
AFPF APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND CHECKLIST
A complete Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship application includes ALL items A through K. Please check the boxes next to the items as you complete them. Applications are only accepted by mail or by email. Incomplete or faxed applications will not be reviewed. AFPF must receive completed applications at their office by August 1. To ensure on-time delivery, some applicants use courier services such as DHL. All mailing costs are the responsibility of the applicant. We evaluate candidates based on accomplishment and potential. We are particularly interested in applicants who show a significant capacity for growth and leadership and can demonstrate that a six-month fellowship would make them, and their professional peers, better journalists.
• A APPLICATION FORM. The application form must be completed in full. Click on gray boxes to type text. Use the mouse or press TAB to skip to next box. Boxes are a fixed size, so please be concise. Please attach one additional page to the application form if more space is needed to answer questions. Save, print, and sign your completed application.
• B CV/RÉSUMÉ. Attach a curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé that outlines your professional and educational history. Briefly describe your responsibilities and achievements in each job. The CV/résumé should be one to two pages, typed and in English.
• C ESSAYS. Each of the essays should be one to two pages, typed and in English.
1. Professional Statement. Please describe your journalistic experience, career plans and goals, and how you will work in and outside your home newsroom to share what you learn on the AFPF program with others.
2. Individual Fellowship Goals. Outline the specific goals you’d like to achieve if awarded an Alfred Friendly Fellowship/ Daniel Pearl Fellowship. These goals should correspond to those that you list on page 4 (Section IV) of the application and should not replicate the program goals of AFPF.
• D LETTERS OF REFERENCE. Two confidential reference letters are required. A third reference from someone familiar with your personality, character, background, etc., is optional. References from AFPF alumni who you know well are welcomed and encouraged. References must be written on the forms provided (pages 5 and 6) and sent directly to AFPF (via post, e-mail or fax) or included in your application packet in sealed envelopes. English translations must accompany letters not written in English originally. Effective letters of reference are those offering significant insights into the candidate’s ability and experiences that best indicate his/her suitability to be a Fellow.
1. Required Reference #1 must be written by the publisher, editor, manager or director of your news organization.
2. Required Reference #2 must be written by your immediate supervisor – or another person for whom you have worked who can attest to your journalistic abilities and professional character.
• E EMPLOYER’S ENDORSEMENT. Please have your employer complete and sign the form on page 7 endorsing your participation and granting a six-month leave of absence should you be chosen.
• F ARTICLES. Four clippings of published articles that best show your interests and abilities. Articles must be legible, easily photocopied and published in the current year. If your articles are available online, you may copy and paste these into Word OR print them directly from the web page; either way, you MUST clearly date any online articles and include their URLs. Do NOT send question/answer interviews. Full English translations, completed by the applicant, must accompany articles not written in English originally. Note: Editors who do not have recent clips may include copies of published work along with a description of your editing role in these samples. Internet journalists must submit samples that are journalistic in nature and demonstrate that your job involves news gathering, writing, editing or producing.
• G PHOTOGRAPH. Attach one passport-size head-shot photo, taken in the last six months, to page 3 of the application. If you submit your application by email, scan your photograph and send it as an attachment.
• H PUBLICATION. Mailed applications should include one issue of your publication. Email applicants should indicate the number of pages and sections typically found in the publication and may be requested to send a hard copy at a later date.
• I PRESS CREDENTIALS. A clear photocopy/scan of your working press credentials, press pass or equivalent.
• J COPY OF PASSPORT. A clear photocopy/scan of your valid passport. Please include picture, information pages and any U.S. visas you’ve had. (If you hold more than one passport please send copies of each.)
• K COPY OF DRIVER’S LICENSE. (if applicable) A clear photocopy/scan of your valid automobile driver’s license.
** ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT. Top candidates will be required to demonstrate their English language proficiency prior to receiving a fellowship. Evaluations will be administered in the candidate’s country of residence.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DANIEL PEARL FELLOWSHIP
Applicants from the following countries are eligible to apply for the Daniel Pearl Fellowships: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE and Yemen.
Are you a citizen of one of these countries? • Yes • No Are you a Muslim? • Yes • No
If you answered yes to both questions above and wish to apply for the Daniel Pearl Fellowship, you are required to complete ALL items A through K (above) and L (below).
• L DANIEL PEARL FELLOWSHIP ESSAY. (This should be one to two pages, typed and in English.) Describe how your career goals match the mission and spirit of Daniel Pearl as a journalist and person.
AFPF must receive completed applications by August 1. There are two options to submit:
1. Mail to: AFPF, 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20036 or
2. Email to: info@pressfellowships.org
DOWNLOAD 2012 AFPF and DPF APPLICATION MATERIALS HERE >>
Contact Information:
For inquiries: info@pressfellowships.org
For submissions: info@pressfellowships.org or mail to AFPF, 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20036
Website: http://www.pressfellowships.org/